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downtown San Antonio office building conversion into a Marriott hotel is facing a court battle over control of the property. Riverwalk Reposition Partners, the lender behind the project, has asked a bankruptcy judge to remove the owner, an affiliate of Blueprint Hospitality, citing mounting debt and a flawed business plan.

    The project at 145 Navarro Street, a former CPS Energy headquarters, was intended to become a 243-room Marriott Autograph Collection hotel called El Portal. However, the lender claims that the borrower has failed to meet basic financial obligations, including paying property taxes, maintaining insurance, and covering utility bills, leaving the building without electricity.

    The lender's attorneys have accused the borrower of making excuses and failing to provide a viable business plan. They are seeking either dismissal of the bankruptcy or appointment of a trustee with hotel development experience to take over the project. The borrower has filed for bankruptcy, listing $3 million in assets and $29.4 million in liabilities.

    The lender's attorneys have expressed frustration with the lack of transparency from the borrower and are not willing to extend financing without clearer oversight. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez will hear arguments in April on environmental remediation and potentially appointing a chief restructuring officer.